On April 23, Mark Zoback, Professor of Geophysics at Stanford University and a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, delivered a captivating lecture at the Southern University of Sciences and Technology (SUSTech).

Upon the invitation of Jian LIN, Director of the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research (AIOR) and Chair Professor of the Department of Ocean Science and Engineering (OSE) at SUSTech, Professor Zoback reported on the recent observations of shallow seismicity triggered by large-scale water injection and discussed the implications for future massive-scale CO2 storage in saline aquifers.

Drawing from observations and experiences in the US and Canada, Professor Zoback illustrated the water injection practices in geological formations, elucidated the triggered seismic activities due to water injection, and discussed their relevance to carbon dioxide sequestration,

Professor Zoback’s lecture shed important light on the potential future pathways for global carbon neutrality, new energy and technology, and sustainable economy.

The Q&A session sparked engaging dialogues between Professor Zoback and the audience, covering topics of hydraulic fracture and water injection-induced seismicity, experiences with carbon sequestration, and risk management strategies during water injection and carbon storage in rock formations.

After the lecture, Professor Mark Zoback was presented with a commemorative certificate by Professor Jian LIN in recognition of this outstanding lecture in the SUSTech Lecture Series.

During his visit, Professor Zoback was given a campus tour and participated in an academic exchange meeting. The meeting was also attended by Professors Jie ZHANG and Xiaodong MA of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), alongside other experts and scholars in related scientific fields.